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We Welcome the 2011-2012
Living with Purpose
Fellows
 On August 20, seven young
adults moved into an Uptown house. Not
usually a noteworthy moment until you realize that
this was the first day of what is going to be an
extraordinary year for these four men and three
women. One by one as they stepped through
the door of that house, they committed themselves
to living in an intentional community, learning to
become leaders in our complex world, worshiping
God, serving the community of New Orleans, and
committing to live their life in a purposeful
way. Supporters of the program had an
opportunity to meet the fellows at a commissioning
ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday,
August 27. Their first task together as a house
was to cook and serve a delicious dinner of red
beans and rice. By the end of the evening,
the attendees were completely filled with
admiration for this group of bright, faithful men
and women.
Image: The
Living With Purpose Fellows just before the Second
Line Parade for the 6th Anniversary of Hurricane
Katrina. Photo by Pete Nunnally.
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Gaudet Grant Cycle
Opens October 1
Beginning October 1, the Gaudet Committee of
the ECSLA Board will accept applications for 2012
grants for nonprofit programs that create, manage,
and expand educational opportunities for African
American children within the Diocese of Louisiana.
Applications are due Nov. 1 and can be
downloaded
here.
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Coastal
Restoration: You Can Help!
 Your voice is critical in creating
political will to restore the Gulf Coast!
Legislation currently moving through Congress
would direct 80% of Clean Water Act penalties paid
by BP to fund a Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.
On September 21, The Restore Act, Senate Bill
1400, passed out of the Environmental and Public
Works Committe and is now moving to the to the
full U.S. Senate for a vote. Please contact your
local representatives and ask them to pass the
RESTORE Act, Senate Bill 1400. Go to http://www.equityandinclusion.org/data/RESTORE-made-simple.pdf
for more information!
Image:
Aerial photo of Lake Borgne, LA. From the
Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and
Restoration Task Force, sponsored by the
EPA.
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Asset-Based Community
Development Training in the Diocese of
Louisiana
 Is your parish looking for ways to
revitalize your community outreach? Are you
seeking to reach beyond the walls of your church,
and build new collaborative partnerships? Do you
struggle to find a meaningful response to the
sometimes-overwhelming needs around us? If so,
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) may be
just the toolkit you have been looking for!
Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana is
pleased to sponsor a series of free ABCD trainings
this fall, and welcomes lay and clergy leaders
from all parishes in our Diocese to attend one of
the trainings. ABCD is an approach to engaging
effectively with the communities around us. It
emphasizes building on the strengths and assets in
our midst rather than being stymied by the
tremendous needs. Each training will provide an
overview of ABCD and allow participants to
practice using skills and tools to apply these
concepts to your own ministries and contexts.
More information /
register>>>
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ECS Helps Job Seekers Gain
Employment in the Morgan City
Area
In the months of July and August, ECS held a
series of workshops to help job seekers in the
Morgan City area find employment. The series of
workshops led up to a job fair on August 17.
It was a success as several people are now
employed and many others are working with Melanie
Bias, ECS Case Manager in Morgan City, to continue
their job search. Thanks to Melanie Bias, the
clergy, staff, and volunteers from Trinity
Episcopal Church, Morgan City, and the local
businesses that organized, volunteered and
participated in the job fair. Read Full
Post>>>
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Rebuild
and Volunteer Update
 The Rebuild team went through
many transitions this summer. We waved farewell to
the class of crew chiefs who had served from
August 2010 through July 2011, most of whom moved
on for further studies, as well as several Rebuild
staff members. Current staff include Matt
McDonagh, with Pat Higgins remaining as a crew
chief.
Once we complete work on this current batch
of houses, the Rebuild program will wind down its
activities indefinitely. We remain committed to
connecting those in need with those willing to
serve, and we also want to be sure we can do so as
good stewards of the resources available to us.
ECSLA’s volunteer program will therefore continue
in 2012 and beyond, and we look forward to
welcoming many of you back again as we continue to
rebuild the Beloved Community. We will continue to
host and coordinate your groups, link you with our
partner service sites for meaningful service
activities, and offer opportunities to learn and
reflect on your service. Read Full Post
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Seeking New
Crew Chiefs for the
Fall
Seeking new
crew chiefs for the fall! Some building or crew
chief experience preferred, but none required.
Housing can be arranged, stipend available, help
us get homeowners back into their rebuilt houses
after 6 long years! Contact Matt McDonagh mmcdonagh@ecsla.org
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Partners in Response Team
Assist with Disaster in North Dakota
 “Wow! North Dakota is a lot
greener and wetter than I ever thought it would
be,” were Deacon Elaine Clements’, Episcopal
Community Services of Louisiana, first thoughts as
she flew into Minot, ND with Archdeacon Russ
Oeschel of the Diocese of Texas. Both Elaine
and Russ were flying into North Dakota in their
role as team members of Episcopal Relief and
Development’s Partners in Response domestic
disaster ministry. Canon John Floberg, Canon
Missioner of the Diocese of North Dakota, spent
five days with Elaine and Russ, visiting churches
in Minot, Bismarck and in Spirit Lake Nation, the
Sioux reservation near the Canadian
border. Read Full
Post>>>
Image:
Devil's
Lake, ND, A road is covered with water from Spirit
Lake. The saltwater lake has been steadily rising
for the last several years, threatening homes and
businesses in the area. Photograph by Samir
Valeja/FEMA
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ECSLA is leading and
catalyzing ministries that create opportunities
for the poor, strengthen our response to
disasters, and engage young adults and volunteers
in transformative service learning. We have also
cast a wider vision for the way in which ECSLA can
be a resource to congregational programs. In order
for our shared outreach to flourish, we need your
help. Your support will create a stable base upon
which ECSLA can grow and strengthen outreach
ministries throughout the Diocese.
